That Tech Pod

Laura Milstein, Gabriela Schulte and Kevin Albert

Welcome to That Tech Pod, a podcast co-hosted by Laura Milstein, Gabi Schulte and Kevin Albert. Each Tuesday, That Tech Pod will feature in depth discussions about data privacy, cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and tech innovations with heavy hitters in the industry. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit thattechpod.com for more information.

  1. 5d ago

    Everything You Know About Productivity Is About to Change with Dr. Mik Kersten

    Artificial intelligence is making people faster, but is it actually making organizations better? On this episode of That Tech Pod, we sit down with Dr. Mik Kersten, one of the world's leading thinkers on technology transformation and organizational change. From groundbreaking computer science research at PARC to founding Tasktop and helping some of the world's largest enterprises modernize software delivery, Mik has spent his career studying how technology reshapes the way we work. We dive into the ideas behind his new book, Output to Outcome, and explore why AI is much more than another productivity tool. Mik explains why many organizations are approaching AI the wrong way, why simply producing more work doesn't necessarily create more value, and why the operating models that defined the last century may no longer be fit for the AI era. We also discuss how leaders can measure the real return on AI investments, avoid chasing productivity for its own sake, and build organizations that combine human judgment with increasingly capable AI systems. Whether you're a technology leader, executive, founder, or simply trying to understand where work is headed next, this conversation offers a thoughtful roadmap for navigating one of the biggest shifts in modern business. Dr. Mik Kersten is a computer scientist, technology strategist, and one of the leading voices on how organizations adapt to technological change. Mik is the founder and former CEO of Tasktop, and currently serves as Executive in Residence at Planview following Tasktop's acquisition in 2022. His career has spanned pioneering software research at PARC, leadership roles in the open-source community through the Eclipse Foundation, and helping enterprises modernize the way they deliver technology. Mik is also the bestselling author of Project to Product, and his new book, Output to Outcome, explores why AI isn't just changing how work gets done, but fundamentally reshaping the operating models organizations were built upon.

  2. Aug 4

    What Happens If We Find Aliens Tomorrow? with SkyMapper CEO Dr. Franck Marchis

    This week on That Tech Pod, we look up. We're joined by Dr. Franck Marchis, CEO and co-founder of SkyMapper, co-founder of Unistellar, Director of Citizen Science at the SETI Institute, and one of the world's leading planetary astronomers. From discovering triple-asteroid systems to helping build the next generation of citizen science, Franck has spent his career making space exploration more accessible to everyone. In this episode, we dive into the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, what astronomers actually do at SETI, and whether AI is changing the way we explore the universe. Franck shares his thoughts on whether intelligent alien life is likely to exist, what would happen if humanity received a credible signal from another civilization, and whether we're more likely to find microbes in our own solar system before discovering an advanced civilization light-years away. We also discuss how astronomy is no longer reserved for professional observatories. Thanks to advances in smart telescopes, AI, and global collaboration, everyday enthusiasts can now make meaningful contributions to scientific discovery. Franck explains how SkyMapper is building a worldwide network of connected telescopes and all-sky cameras designed to continuously monitor the skies and create trusted, verifiable observations for researchers and citizen scientists alike. Finally, we explore SkySphere, SkyMapper's new intelligent all-sky camera that captures a continuous 180-degree view of the sky using on-device AI to detect meteors, satellites, drones, aircraft, and other phenomena in real time. We talk about how the project could reshape both amateur astronomy and scientific research, and how listeners can get involved through its successful Kickstarter campaign. Learn more about SkyMapper and check out the SkySphere Kickstarter. You can also learn more about Franck’s work with the SETI Institute. Dr. Franck Marchis is the CEO and co-founder of SkyMapper, co-founder of Unistellar, and the Director of Citizen Science at the SETI Institute. A planetary astronomer by training, his research spans exoplanets, asteroid systems, and high-resolution imaging. He is widely known for co-discovering multiple triple-asteroid systems and for pioneering technologies and programs that bring astronomical discovery to the public. Through his efforts at SkyMapper and his work at SETI, Franck is helping build a global community of citizen scientists empowered to explore and understand the universe.

  3. Jul 28

    The Skills AI Can't Replace: The Sales Docket-That Tech Pod crossover pod with Steve Rapp and Tim Garner

    This week, That Tech Pod does something a little different, teaming up with Steve Rapp and Tim Garner from The Sales Docket Podcast for a crossover pod that bridges technology and modern sales leadership. What starts as a discussion about sales quickly evolves into a candid conversation about trust, technical expertise, AI, career growth, and why relationships still matter more than ever. If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to check out The Sales Docket Podcast for more discussions on modern sales leadership, go-to-market strategy, and revenue growth. Kevin and Laura compare notes with Steve and Tim on what separates great sales professionals from everyone else, including the critical role sales engineers play as the technical “source of truth.” The group discusses why integrity is a competitive advantage, how long-term customer relationships are built through honesty rather than hype, and why the fundamentals of listening, follow-up, and curiosity haven’t changed, even as technology has. The conversation also tackles one of today’s biggest questions: what AI means for the future of technology careers. While opinions differ on how dramatically AI will reshape technical roles, everyone agrees that soft skills, communication, and the ability to translate complex technology into business value will remain indispensable. The episode closes with reflections on what hundreds of podcast interviews have taught the hosts about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the common traits shared by successful leaders across industries. Whether you work in sales, engineering, cybersecurity, legal tech, or simply want a thoughtful conversation about where technology and business are headed, this crossover episode delivers practical insights, plenty of laughs, and an honest look at what still matters in an AI-driven world. The Sales Docket Podcast, hosted by Steve Rapp and Tim Garner, is a show focused on modern sales leadership, go-to-market strategy, and the real-world challenges revenue teams face as markets and buyer behavior evolve. Steve and Tim bring hands-on experience from building and scaling sales organizations, and their conversations tend to center on practical execution rather than theory, covering what actually works in today’s competitive selling environment.

  4. Jul 21

    Your Face Is Your Key. But Is It Secure? with DESLOC's Zoe Zou and Vicky Zhang

    This week on That Tech Pod, we sit down with Vicky Zhang, Chief Product Director at DESLOC, and Zoe Zou, Channel Director at DESLOC, to talk about the future of smart home security and whether smart locks are finally ready for the mainstream. Our conversation explores DESLOC's latest innovation, the V150 Plus, which the company says is the world's first low-light self-charging smart lock. Vicky explains how the technology captures ambient light instead of relying on direct sunlight, making continuous charging practical even for shaded front doors. We also tackle the questions every homeowner has: What happens if the power goes out? What if your Wi-Fi is down? Can someone fool facial recognition with a photo, video, or even a realistic mask? The team breaks down how modern authentication systems use liveness detection and multiple layers of security to defend against spoofing attempts while keeping everyday access simple. Beyond the technology, we challenge the team on the broader question of trust. Are smart locks actually safer than a traditional deadbolt? What have Kickstarter backers taught DESLOC about what consumers really want? And as AI and automation become more common in our homes, where should we draw the line between convenience and control? Whether you're a smart home enthusiast or a healthy skeptic, this episode offers a practical look at where connected home security is headed and the engineering decisions that make it work. Interested in the DESLOC V150 Plus? Check out the Kickstarter campaign here: DESLOC V150 Plus on Kickstarter. DESLOC is a smart home technology company focused on rethinking home access through innovative security solutions. The company develops connected smart locks that combine fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, keypad entry, and mobile access with an emphasis on reliability, ease of use, and security. Its latest product, the DESLOC V150 Plus, uses low-light solar technology to continuously recharge in a wide range of lighting conditions, including shaded entryways and cloudy weather. Vicky Zhang is Chief Product Director at DESLOC, where she leads product strategy and innovation for next-generation smart home security solutions. With extensive experience in smart lock development, user experience design, and authentication technologies, she helps bring innovative products from concept to market. Zoe Zou is Channel Director at DESLOC, working closely with global distribution partners and technology communities to expand the company's international presence while helping shape future product development through market insights.

  5. Jul 14

    Innovation or Innovation Theater in the Age of AI with Liminal's Steven Walchek

    Artificial intelligence is moving at a pace few organizations have ever experienced, but how much of today's AI adoption is driven by real business value versus fear of being left behind? This week on That Tech Pod, we sit down with Steven Walchek, Founder and CEO of Liminal, for a conversation about what separates companies that are genuinely transforming with AI from those simply putting on a show. Steven shares how growing up around entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley shaped his approach to building companies, his experiences helping scale innovation at Amazon Web Services and FIS, and the lessons learned from launching multiple startups and achieving three successful exits. Along the way, he explains why every major technology wave creates both incredible opportunities and very expensive mistakes. We also dig into why so many organizations fall into "innovation theater," whether executives are adopting AI because of business strategy or fear of missing the next big thing, and which technologies from the past two decades proved to be underrated or wildly overhyped. Steven offers an honest perspective on where enterprise AI is heading, what regulated industries need to get right, and the AI investments companies may look back on with regret just a few years from now. If you're trying to separate AI hype from lasting business value, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Steven Walchek is the Founder and CEO of Liminal, where he helps large regulated enterprises securely scale generative AI with the right balance of governance, visibility, and multi-model access. He’s spent more than 15 years building and scaling companies across fintech, cloud, and enterprise software, focused on turning emerging technologies into real operational advantage. Before Liminal, Steven was EVP and Chief Innovation Officer at FIS, where he led corporate venture initiatives, launched new business lines, and built multiple subsidiary companies. Earlier in his career at Amazon Web Services, he worked on early machine learning and cloud infrastructure initiatives while helping expand the partner ecosystem and drive new revenue growth. He’s also been involved in three successful exits, including DebtMarket, the fintech company he co-founded and later sold to Intercontinental Exchange. Today, he focuses on helping regulated industries adopt AI at scale without losing control, security, or trust.

  6. Jul 7

    AI, Product Leadership, and Growth with Mitratech's Justin Silverman

    Laura has been looking forward to this one for a while. On this episode of That Tech Pod, we sit down with Justin Silverman, the Chief Operating Officer of Legal Solutions at Mitratech, to talk about what it really takes to build and scale enterprise software in the age of AI. Justin has led product organizations across legal technology, insurance technology, and enterprise SaaS, giving him a unique perspective on how different industries adopt technology, where product strategy succeeds or fails, and why organizational leadership becomes just as important as product innovation as companies grow. We discuss the surprising similarities and differences between building software for lawyers versus insurance professionals, the balance between product decisions and people decisions, and what changes when you're responsible for one of the largest legal software portfolios in the industry. The conversation also takes a practical look at AI beyond the marketing headlines. Justin shares how Mitratech is approaching AI both inside the business and for customers, where employees are still hesitant to embrace AI in their daily work, and whether AI has actually made product management easier or simply raised expectations for everyone involved. We also explore why legal spending continues to rise despite decades of technology-driven efficiency gains and the costly mistakes software companies make when chasing growth instead of solving real customer problems. If you're interested in product leadership, AI adoption, legal technology, or simply how large software organizations make strategic decisions, this episode offers an inside look from someone helping shape the future of enterprise legal software. Justin Silverman is Chief Operating Officer of Legal Solutions at Mitratech, leading Product Management, Engineering, and Operations across the Legal Solutions division, with responsibility for bringing AI-powered solutions to customers and driving AI adoption across Mitratech's own operations. In March 2021, he joined Mitratech from Vertafore, a software provider in the insurance industry, where he led product management for their insurance agency management system business. Prior to Vertafore, he was VP of Product Management and General Manager of LexisNexis CounselLink, an e-billing and matter management solution. Justin's experience spans growing B2B software businesses, solving complex customer problems, and driving performance across large, cross-functional teams.

  7. Jun 30

    The Future of eDiscovery: AI, Digital Evidence, and What's Next with Level Legal's Matt Mahon

    This week on That Tech Pod, we sit down with Matt Mahon, Vice President of Client Solutions at Level Legal, to talk about what's really happening across the legal technology landscape in 2026. Matt shares what attorneys are asking for today, why AI hasn't driven costs down as quickly as many predicted, and how legal teams should be preparing for emerging evidence sources like AI assistants, chatbots, and ephemeral communications. We also discuss whether traditional eDiscovery pricing models still make sense, the assumptions the industry will soon leave behind, and what it takes to build defensible, evidence-first workflows in an AI-powered world. Matt explains why AI is transforming legal work without eliminating the complexity that drives litigation, and why organizations that focus on governance and strategy will ultimately see the biggest gains. We also explore the biggest trends shaping the industry this year, what excites him most about where legal technology is headed, and where he believes the market is still falling short. Finally, Matt celebrates Level Legal's new Band 3 ranking in the 2026 Chambers Litigation Support Guide for USA Nationwide eDiscovery providers and previews his upcoming Electronic Discovery Reference Model webinar on digital evidence and recent case law. Learn more about Level Legal's Chambers ranking: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/level-legal-earns-ranking-in-chambers-and-partner-2026-litigation-support-guide-for-ediscovery-302809787.html Register for the EDRM webinar, "Digital Evidence: Mapping the Landscape with Case Insights": https://levellegal.com/resources/ Matt Mahon is the Vice President of Client Solutions at Level Legal. Matt draws on decades of experience in eDiscovery to help clients develop bespoke solutions to their problems. Matt regularly shares his expertise and thought leadership, speaking at industry conferences, CLE events, law firm trainings, and more. He holds several industry certifications, including CEDS from ACEDs, IGP from ARMA International, and is a RelativityOne Certified Pro and Relativity Certified Sales Pro. Matt also serves as the President of the ACEDS Jacksonville chapter.

  8. Jun 23

    Data Doesn't Drive Decisions. People Do with Sebastian Wernicke

    This week on That Tech Pod, we sit down with Sebastian Wernicke, a globally recognized expert on data and AI strategy whose TED Talks have been viewed more than five million times. Sebastian argues that successful AI adoption has far less to do with choosing the right tools and far more to do with building the right culture. We explore why "data-driven" organizations often struggle to make better decisions, and why Sebastian prefers the idea of being "data-inspired" instead. He explains how leaders can create cultures built on evidence, curiosity, and better questions rather than dashboards and reports. The conversation also takes a fresh look at Shadow AI. Rather than treating employees' use of unauthorized AI tools as simply a security problem, Sebastian explains why it can be a signal that workers are frustrated by broken processes, inefficient workflows, and organizational bottlenecks. We also tackle the growing debate around whether AI is entering bubble territory, what executives misunderstand about AI demand, and how massive investments like Kirkland & Ellis's reported $500 million AI initiative could reshape competition across industries. Will AI become a game where only the largest organizations can afford to compete, or will smaller companies find new ways to stay ahead? Finally, Sebastian shares examples from his book Data Inspired that show how organizations can unlock the value of data not through technology purchases, but through culture, leadership, and better decision-making habits. If you're trying to separate AI hype from business reality, this episode offers a practical roadmap for what actually drives transformation. A leading expert in data and AI strategy, Sebastian Wernicke believes that the key to unlocking data’s power lies not in technology, but in leaders fostering a culture of evidence and inquiry. For over 20 years, Sebastian has guided organizations around the world to harness the power of data and AI to achieve breakthrough transformation. Sebastian's ability to make complex topics around data accessible, engaging, and actionable has made him a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator. His three acclaimed TED Talks have reached over 5 million viewers.

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About

Welcome to That Tech Pod, a podcast co-hosted by Laura Milstein, Gabi Schulte and Kevin Albert. Each Tuesday, That Tech Pod will feature in depth discussions about data privacy, cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and tech innovations with heavy hitters in the industry. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Visit thattechpod.com for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Milstein, Gabriela Schulte and Kevin Albert
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    311
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 That Tech Pod
  • Show Website
    That Tech Pod